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Office of the STATE COMPTROLLER

Special Report: Finger Region Economic Profile

Orleans

Monroe Wayne

Genesee Seneca Ontario

Wyoming Yates Livingston

New York State Comptroller THOMAS P. DiNAPOLI

AUGUST 2017 Executive Summary

• The Region of New York State includes nine counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. It is home to over 1.2 million people (6.1 percent of the State’s population), mostly concentrated in Rochester and its suburbs.

• The economy of the Rochester metropolitan area has historically been largely high-tech industrial. International optics and imaging industry leaders Eastman , Bausch + Lomb and drove the ’s growth through the 1980s. However, the significant downsizing of Kodak over the past 30 years and the reduction of the other two companies’ presence in the City have created extraordinary economic challenges since that time.1 Nonetheless, this industrial legacy has created opportunities for new businesses spurred by the skilled workforce and the region’s physical infrastructure.

• Beyond the metro area, the economy is largely agricultural. Roughly 21 percent of the State’s total farmland — producing milk, apples, grapes and – is in the Finger Lakes Region.2 Tourism is another major economic driver, especially around the area’s pristine, glacially created lakes.

• The Finger Lakes Region boasts several major higher education institutions that graduate individuals with skills in high-demand fields. However, retention of this skilled workforce has proven difficult.

• Another major challenge is the large number of unemployed and often unskilled laborers living in rural and urban pockets of persistent poverty.

• Countering these challenges, the Region benefits from relatively low housing costs, property taxes and unemployment rates, as well as relatively high wages in important sectors of the economy, most notably science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

• Economic development efforts to attract and develop more high-tech manufacturing in the Rochester area have benefitted from the area’s existing strengths. For example, public schools are coordinating with universities to educate local students in STEM areas.

2 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Geography

The Finger Lakes Region covers 4,676 square miles and is named for the long, narrow lakes of its southeastern counties. It is bounded by Ontario to the north and bisected from east to west by the (, as shown in Figure 1).3

The City of Rochester and its urban and suburban neighborhoods dominate Monroe County, reaching south into Ontario County. Several smaller and villages are located throughout the Region, but much of the area remains rural.

The natural landscape, Figure 1 especially its ample water resources, has The Finger Lakes Region been conducive to the development of , dairy and specialty Orleans agriculture. Eco- and Rochester culinary tourism draw Wayne visitors to the area’s scenic Monroe lakefronts and gorges Batavia and to its hundreds of Genesee wineries, breweries and Canandaigua Ontario Geneva related businesses. The Seneca Cayuga and Erie Lake Wyoming Canandaigua Seneca Canal historically provided Lake Lake Livingston an economic advantage for Yates 4 industry. Recent upgrades to recreation trails along both waterways celebrate Interstate Highways Indian Reservations Finger Lakes Villages this history. Finger Lakes Cities Finger Lakes Towns

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 3 Demographics

Population

The population of the Finger Lakes Region was 1,212,929 in 2016, with 62 percent residing in Monroe County.5 Rochester, with a population of nearly 209,000, is by far the Region’s largest single municipality. (For county demographics discussed in this section, see Figure 3. For cities and selected towns, see appendix.)

Following significant growth Figure 2 from 1950 to 1970, the Region’s overall population Percentage Change in Regional and State Population by Decade growth slowed dramatically, 18.4% as shown in Figure 2. Still, 20.0% 17.1% the Region outperformed the 15.0% 13.2% Finger Lakes New York State State in population increases through 1990. Between 2010 10.0% 8.7% and 2016, estimates indicate 5.5% 5.0% 3.2% 3.3% that the Region’s population 1.2% 2.5% 1.5% 2.1% decreased by 0.4 percent, 0.0% compared to a statewide -5.0% -3.7% increase of 1.8 percent.6 1950-1960 1960-1970 1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 The Finger Lakes Region’s population is generally much Source: U.S. Census Bureau. less diverse than the State’s. Most of the counties are between 87 and 96 percent white non-Hispanic, compared with 57 percent statewide. Monroe, at 72 percent, is the most diverse county, mostly due to Rochester, home to a significant concentration of Black, Hispanic and foreign-born individuals. This is also true of some of its surrounding towns. The Town of Brighton, for example, has a particularly high percentage of foreign-born and Asian residents (18.0 and 10.8 percent, respectively).

4 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Figure 3 Demographic Indicators, Finger Lakes Region Counties

New York State Genesee Livingston Monroe Ontario Orleans Seneca Wayne Wyoming Yates

Population estimate, 2016* 19,745,289 58,482 64,257 747,727 109,828 41,346 34,777 90,798 40,791 24,923

Population, percentage change, 2000-2010** 2.1% -0.5% 1.7% 1.2% 7.7% -2.9% 5.7% 0.0% -2.9% 3.0%

Population, percentage change, 2010-2016* 1.8% -2.4% -1.5% 0.4% 1.5% -3.5% -1.3% -3.2% -3.2% -1.7%

Persons per square mile* 419 119 102 1,138 171 106 107 150 69 74

Persons under 14 years 17.8% 16.9% 15.4% 17.8% 17.2% 16.5% 16.7% 18.2% 16.2% 18.7%

Persons over 65 years 14.3% 16.9% 15.3% 15.0% 17.1% 15.7% 16.7% 16.0% 15.0% 17.8%

Median age 38.1 42.7 40.1 38.5 43.1 42.2 42.3 43.1 41.1 41.5

White persons 64.6% 92.2% 93.3% 76.0% 93.4% 89.5% 92.1% 93.1% 91.8% 97.2%

Black persons 15.6% 2.8% 2.4% 15.3% 2.5% 6.1% 4.5% 3.4% 5.7% 1.0%

Asian persons 8.0% 0.7% 1.4% 3.5% 1.2% 0.6% 0.7% 0.6% 0.4% 0.5%

Persons reporting two or more races 2.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.7% 1.7% 1.8% 2.1% 1.6% 1.3% 0.9%

Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin 18.4% 3.0% 3.3% 7.9% 4.1% 4.5% 3.1% 4.0% 3.2% 2.0%

White persons not Hispanic 56.8% 90.9% 91.2% 71.6% 90.8% 86.8% 89.7% 90.4% 89.8% 95.5%

Foreign-born persons 22.5% 2.3% 3.3% 8.3% 3.7% 3.4% 2.1% 2.8% 1.7% 1.8%

Languages other than English spoken at home 30.4% 3.6% 6.1% 12.9% 7.0% 6.2% 5.9% 4.3% 4.3% 13.3%

Median household income $59,269 $50,880 $51,734 $52,553 $57,416 $46,359 $49,292 $50,798 $52,564 $49,510

Bachelor's degree or higher 34.2% 20.0% 23.6% 36.2% 31.7% 15.4% 20.2% 20.6% 15.2% 23.7%

Owner-occupied housing units 47.7% 68.1% 64.7% 59.5% 65.2% 65.5% 60.7% 68.4% 65.8% 54.4%

Housing units in multi-unit structures 50.8% 20.0% 19.0% 30.4% 20.9% 18.3% 14.0% 16.5% 16.4% 10.2%

Vacancy rate of housing units 11.1% 6.6% 11.1% 7.3% 10.5% 13.4% 16.1% 11.9% 12.5% 29.0%

Median value of owner-occupied housing units $283,400 $107,000 $121,200 $138,600 $145,700 $91,300 $97,000 $112,900 $102,000 $124,200

Owner costs exceeding 30% of income 38.2% 25.0% 25.1% 26.6% 24.4% 29.7% 24.0% 27.4% 21.7% 28.7%

Renters costs exceeding 30% of income 53.9% 49.4% 55.3% 56.1% 51.2% 55.8% 50.9% 52.1% 44.6% 50.4%

Child poverty rate (%) 22.2% 20.5% 18.8% 23.0% 13.5% 21.9% 15.9% 18.5% 17.1% 21.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; All data are from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey, except as indicated. * 2016 Population Estimates ** 2000 and 2010 Census

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 5 Median Household Income

Median household income in each of the nine counties is below the State median. Ontario County ($57,416) was the highest in 2015, while Orleans County ($46,359) was the lowest. (See Figure 3.)

City median household Figure 4 incomes were lower than those of suburban towns. The Median Household Income, Cities and Selected Large Towns, 2015 City of Rochester has one of the lowest median household Town of Pittsford incomes ($30,960) in the Town of Perinton Town of Penfield Region, while several towns Town of Ogden exceeded the State median. Town of Webster (See Figure 4.) Town of Brighton Town of Chili Growth in median income Town of Henrietta has been relatively slow Town of Greece New York State in recent years. Monroe Town of Irondequoit $59,269 County’s grew 8.2 percent Town of Gates City of Canandaigua from 2007 to 2015 and City of Batavia Ontario County grew 5.8 City of Geneva percent, whereas the State's City of Rochester grew by 13.7 percent.7 $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2011-2015 American Community Survey.

Child Poverty

Although the child poverty Figure 5 rates for Finger Lakes counties are near or below Highest Child Poverty Rates, 2015 the State rate (22.2 percent), Entity County Rate rates in some areas are Town of West Sparta Livingston 56.5% much higher. Pockets of City of Rochester Monroe 51.6% concentrated poverty are Town of Lyons Wayne 41.6% of particular concern in Town of Sodus Wayne 35.2% Rochester, where more than Town of North Dansville Livingston 35.1% half of all children are living City of Geneva Ontario 33.3% in poverty. Rates are high in Town of Albion Orleans 33.3% many rural areas as well. City of Batavia Genesee 33.0% (See Figure 5.) Town of East Rochester Monroe 32.6% Town of Arcade Wyoming 30.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; all data are from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey.

6 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Education

Higher Education The Region’s colleges and universities include the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the , Hobart and William Smith Colleges, St. John Fisher College, , Nazareth College, , the State University of New York campuses in Brockport and Geneseo, and three county community colleges. About 19,000 students graduate from these institutions every year.8

Regional economic development entities have noted that, on a net basis, students tend to leave the Region after graduation.9 Even so, the 36.2 percent of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree in Monroe County exceeds the State average (34.2 percent), and Ontario County’s 31.7 percent approaches it. The concentration of college graduates in the remaining counties is much lower, ranging from 15.2 percent to 23.7 percent.

K-12 Education The 70 public school districts of the Finger Lakes Region educated 175,810 students in the 2014- 15 school year (SY).10 As a whole, regional schools are comparable to the State on measures such as graduation rates. In that year, 84.3 percent of the Region’s students graduated within four years, compared with 85.5 percent statewide.11

The disparities in wealth and performance between the Rochester City School District and many of its surrounding suburban districts are vast. The District’s students were much poorer, with about 88.2 percent qualifying for free or reduced price lunches, compared with 43.5 percent regionwide. Its graduation rate was 51 percent in that same year.12 A 2017 OSC audit showed that the District had significant issues with financial management, including payroll and procurement.13

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 7 Local Government

Entities

In addition to Rochester, the Figure 6 Finger Lakes Region has three other cities: Batavia, Local Governments and Districts Canandaigua and Geneva. Municipalities It also contains 126 towns, Counties 9 70 school districts and 60 Cities 4 villages, as well as 74 fire Towns 126 districts and about 1,200 Villages 60 town, county and other special Special Purpose Local Governments districts. (See Figure 6.) School Districts 70 Fire Districts 74 Districts Town Special Districts 1,189 County Special Districts 12 Soil and Water Conservation Districts 9 Consolidated Health Districts 2

Source: Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), December 2016. Village count includes Village of Macedon, which was dissolved on March 31, 2017. Taxes

Property taxes, measured as Figure 7 the amount that the average homeowner pays annually, are Sales Tax Rates, 2016 and Effective Property Tax relatively low in the Finger Lakes Rates and Median Bills, 2015 by New York State standards. Effective Property Tax County Sales Tax Rate Rate per $1,000 For example, the estimated Median Bill Full Value median property tax bill in Genesee 8.00% $38.63 $4,133 Genesee County was $4,133 Livingston 8.00% $36.53 $4,428 in 2015 – half of the estimated Monroe 8.00% $40.62 $5,629 median statewide bill ($8,173). Ontario 7.50% $29.26 $4,263 (See Figure 7.) Orleans 8.00% $41.54 $3,792 Seneca 8.00% $32.93 $3,195 The sales tax rate is 8 percent Wayne 8.00% $37.72 $4,259 in most of the Region (with the Wyoming 8.00% $35.33 $3,604 exception of Ontario County at Yates 8.00% $25.19 $3,129 7.5 percent). This is somewhat Statewide 8.45% $28.84 $8,173 lower than the 8.45 percent Notes: County sales tax rates are a combination of the State’s 4 percent rate and average rate for the State as a the local rate of 3.5 or 4 percent imposed by each county. Statewide sales tax rate is the weighted average of all counties and cities, including . The whole, which includes higher tax effective property tax does not include New York City. areas in New York City and the Source: OSC; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; U.S. Census Bureau, ACS; and The Sales Tax Clearinghouse. downstate counties.14

8 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile The State has begun distributing Tax Exemptions in Finger Lakes Cities 20 percent of gaming tax revenues from the newly opened del Lago Municipalities with large amounts of tax-exempt Resort and Casino in Seneca property usually have higher tax rates because County with nearby municipalities. owners of taxable properties must help pay for As hosts, the Town of Tyre and services provided to all properties, including those Seneca County split 10 percent. that are tax-exempt. This is a particularly vexing issue Wayne County and four Southern for many cities, including Rochester, Canandaigua Tier counties share another 10 and Batavia, where about one-third of total property percent, based on population. value is tax exempt. Even more challenging, nearly In the first quarter of 2017, this two-thirds of the property in the City of Geneva amounted to approximately (Ontario County) is owned by colleges, other not-for- $389,000 each for the Town of Tyre profit institutions and government facilities, ranking it 16 and Seneca County, and about in the top five cities in the State on this measure. $42,000 for Wayne County.15

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 9 Fiscal Stress

OSC’s Fiscal Stress Figure 8 Monitoring System currently identifies only Fiscal Stress in the Finger Lakes Region two local governments Municipality County Designation and five school districts Local Governments in the region as being Monroe County Monroe Significant in fiscal stress, defined Town of Manchester Ontario Susceptible as having challenges in School Districts maintaining budgetary Gates-Chili Central School District Monroe Susceptible solvency.17 Monroe Geneseo Central School District Livingston Susceptible County has been in Manchester-Shortsville Central School District Ontario Susceptible the highest level of Clyde-Savannah Central School District Wayne Susceptible stress (“Significant”) for Marion Central School District Wayne Susceptible several years; the rest Source: Scores cited here are for fiscal year ending 2015 for municipalities and fiscal year 2015- are all in the lowest level 16 for school districts. For more on the Fiscal Stress Monitoring System and latest scores for local (“Susceptible”). governments, please see www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/fiscalmonitoring/index.htm.

The System also examines various environmental factors that influence local revenue- raising capability and demand for services, such as changes in property values, population trends, unemployment, graduation and poverty rates. None of the stressed entities had high environmental stress scores.

Reorganization

Three Finger Lakes villages have dissolved in the past seven years, after having taken advantage of grants that support the study and implementation of local government “reorganization.”18 They included the villages of Lyons (2015) and Macedon (2017) in Wayne County and Seneca Falls (2010) in Seneca County—the largest New York village to dissolve to date.19

Yates County also recently undertook a study along with neighboring Schuyler County (in the Region), exploring options for sharing, consolidating or completely merging services in infrastructure, public safety, municipal operations, economic development and governance.20 By 2014, the two counties had decided not to merge, but they formed a joint Department of Weights and Measures with Chemung County.21

10 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Economy and Labor Market

Housing Market

Affordability In 2016, median home sales prices in the Finger Lakes counties ranged from $87,408 in rural Wyoming County to $170,000 in largely suburban Ontario County.22 (See Figure 9.) This is much lower than the 2015 statewide residential median price of $213,000 outside of New York City, but is similar to other upstate counties.23 Over the past decade, all of the Region’s counties have seen some price growth. Yates County prices grew the fastest, rising 52 percent to $149,900 in 2016, owing in part to sales of high-priced homes near Keuka Lake.

Despite this recent growth, housing remains affordable in the Finger Lakes Region, especially for people who own their own homes. Only 22 to 30 percent of homeowners are spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing, compared with 38 percent statewide.24 Perhaps for this reason, homeownership rates are relatively high in the Region, ranging between 60 and 68 percent in every county but Yates, compared with 48 percent for the State as a whole.

The percentage of renters whose housing costs exceed 30 percent of their income is much higher, sometimes exceeding the 54 percent seen among renters statewide. In Rochester, where less than a third of homes are owner-occupied, this is true of 63 percent of renters. (See appendix.)

Figure 9 Median Home Sale Prices, 2006 vs. 2016

$180 $160 $140 $120 $100 $80

Thousands $60 $40 $20 $0 WYOMING ORLEANS GENESEE SENECA WAYNE LIVINGSTON MONROE YATES ONTARIO

2006 2016

Source: NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Real Property Tax Services.

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 11 Health of the Housing Market The number of building permits for new residential construction Figure 10 issued regionwide (a measure Building Permits for New Residential Construction, 1990-2015 of the health of the housing market) rose 18.5 percent between 2010 and 2015 (See 4,000 Figure 10).25 However, the 3,500 longer-term trend has been 3,000 2,500 downward over the past two 2,000 decades, with a steeper decline 1,500 just after the recession. 1,000 Number of Permits of Number 500 Vacancy rates in the Region 0 range from 6.6 percent in 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Genesee County to 29 in Finger Lakes Region Yates County, but rates in most counties are comparable to the Source: U.S. Census Bureau with OSC calculations. statewide rate of 11.1 percent.

Rochester’s 12.3 percent rate is only slightly above-average, but when cities have clusters of vacancies they can be more problematic than a similar percentage in rural areas. In response, the Rochester Land Bank Corporation acquires vacant properties and rehabilitates them for sale, funds demolitions and subsidizes new house construction.26 For fiscal year 2015-16, the Land Bank reported that it had acquired 12 properties for rehabilitation, completed development on 47 others, demolished 17, and closed with buyers on two of six newly constructed houses.27 In 2017, the Land Bank plans to leverage a $1.5 million award from the State to continue this work.28

Unemployment Rates

Annual Regional unemployment Figure 11 rates have improved in recent years, decreasing from 8 Unemployment Rate by County, 2016 percent in 2012 to 4.7 percent in 2016; in July 2017, the State Rate 4.8% Region’s rate was 4.9 percent. 5.7% 5.3% 4.9% 4.9% As Figure 11 shows, Ontario 4.6% 4.7% 4.3% 4.7% 4.4% and Yates counties had the lowest rates in 2016, and even Monroe was below the State rate. However, Rochester had an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent.29 The highest countywide unemployment rate Genesee Livingston Monroe Ontario Orleans Seneca Wayne Wyoming Yates in 2016 was in Orleans County. Source: New York State Department of Labor.

12 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Major Industries

Eastman Kodak, Bausch + Lomb, and Xerox were the powerhouses driving the Rochester economy since the late 1800s. Kodak alone employed over 60,000 area residents at its peak in the 1980s, but its decline over the following two decades was precipitous, culminating in bankruptcy in 2012.30 Today, Kodak employs around 2,000 people in the Rochester area, and is no longer among the City’s top employers.31 The City took another blow in 2013, when Bausch + Lomb’s headquarters moved and the company laid off over 400 of about 1,700 local employees, and again in 2017 when Xerox (employing about 3,900 in the area) announced it would cut nearly 200 jobs.32 On a positive note, what remains of physical infrastructure and human capital is fostering growth for new companies and has been a boon for creative development. For example, the (formerly Kodak Park) is now home to 67 product development and manufacturing companies employing over 6,500 people, including a medical marijuana manufacturing site.33 Rochester ranks 13th among metropolitan regions nationwide for the number of patents issued per million residents, with the largest subcategory of patents granted for optics research.34

Seven of the ten largest employers in the Region are located in Monroe County, including Carestream Health, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester Institute of Technology, Sutherland Global Services, Unity Hospital of Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center and Xerox. The three other largest employers operate in locations throughout the Region: Tops Friendly Markets, Food Markets and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.35

Large employers in other area counties include Arc, a not-for-profit provider of human services and vocational rehabilitation, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Major correctional facilities operate in Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, each of which employs hundreds of people.36 Livingston County is also home to the State University of New York at Geneseo, which has over 900 employees.

Figure 12 shows 2015 employment numbers and average wages in the Finger Lakes by industrial sector.37 Total employment was 548,751, with an average annual wage of $47,154. Preliminary numbers show employment rose to 553,706 in 2016.38 The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) expects employment to continue to grow moderately in the next decade.39

The largest employment sector is government, with over 86,500 employees or 16 percent of total employment. This sector includes public school teachers and administrators, paid firefighters, police and corrections officers, and the employees of the four-year State University of New York colleges in Brockport and Geneseo and three community colleges.40

The health care and social assistance sector is almost as large as the government sector, employing over 81,000 people in 2015. The typical wage in this sector is less than the overall average ($47,154), since low-wage positions such as personal care aides outnumber highly paid professionals.41

On the whole, manufacturing has declined and that trend is expected to continue.42 But manufacturing employment, at 12 percent of the total for all industries, is still a substantial source of jobs in the Region, and pays relatively high wages. The manufacturing sector includes many industries, and expansion in the food manufacturing sector, especially in wineries and breweries, has added about 700 employees (46 percent growth) between 2011 and mid-2016.43

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 13 Figure 12 Industry Sectors in the Finger Lakes Region by Number of Employees (548,751) and Average Wages ($47,154), 2015.

Government ($48,936) 86,589 Health Care and Social Assistance ($41,966) 81,270 Manufacturing ($62,905) 65,920 Retail Trade ($26,536) 61,448 Accommodation and Food Services ($16,224) 41,678 Administrative and Waste Services ($35,760) 29,237 Educational Services ($57,117) 28,079 Professional and Technical Services ($66,113) 26,512 Construction ($53,217) 20,100 Other Services (Except Public Administration) ($27,206) 19,442 Wholesale Trade ($69,832) 17,113 Finance and Insurance ($75,540) 15,137 Management of Companies and Enterprises ($124,500) 12,176 Transportation and Warehousing ($38,297) 9,579 Information ($67,918) 8,987 Arts, Entertainment and Recreation ($19,579) 8,051 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing ($41,289) 7,315 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting ($32,308) 6,750 Utilities ($108,553) 1,809 Unclassified ($28,848) 860 Mining ($61,548) 700

Source: New York State Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

Just as important, beverage manufacturers cause spin-offs to other sectors, spurring demand for locally grown grapes, barley and hops. The Region’s wine and beer account for more than 50 percent of New York State exports of these products.44 Continued employment growth in this industry is projected for the next five years, and the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council has identified the agricultural and food manufacturing clusters as top priorities.45

Another major source of job growth comes from sectors serving the tourism and vacation industry, including: retail trade, accommodations and food services, and the arts, entertainment and recreation. However, these sectors tend to pay lower wages relative to some others.

The professional and technical services and management sectors are expected to continue expanding.46 These highly paid sectors (see Figure 12) include law and accounting firms and software developers, which tend to sell their services to other businesses.

14 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Economic Development

Upstate Revitalization Initiative Science, Technology, Engineering and In 2015, the Finger Lakes Region was Mathematics (STEM) in the Finger Lakes awarded $500 million, anticipated to be available over the next five years, under the State’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative • From 2010 to 2015, the Finger Lakes (URI), a New York State program that is Region saw stronger growth than most other parts of the State in STEM intended to provide for the development employment.51 of regional long-term strategic plans for economic growth.47 The Finger Lakes • In the Rochester metropolitan area, Forward URI Plan will focus on three STEM jobs make up 7.2 percent of total jobs, ranking it 22nd in the nation for the industry sectors — photonics, agriculture, percentage of workers in this field. and clean manufacturing and technology.48 In 2017, the Governor announced the • The area’s average annual pay for STEM Luminate NY, a business competition employees was $80,700, 74 percent higher awarding funds to 10 to 15 start-up than the comparable wage for non-STEM job titles.52 businesses in the photonics industry in the Rochester area.

Some other economic development initiatives, such as the planned redevelopment of the Canal Ponds business park in Greece, remain uncertain due to issues surrounding the SUNY Polytechnic Institute.49

Presently, more than 100 companies support over 15,000 regional jobs in the optics, photonics and imaging (OPI) industry cluster. OPI includes a broad range of markets and technologies such as precision optics, lasers, imaging systems, displays, solid state lighting (such as LED), and photovoltaics (solar-derived electricity), and includes components for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, defense systems, and biomedical equipment. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Defense selected Rochester as the site of the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics). The State has committed $250 million over five years to this project, which is to be combined with other federal and private funds. The facility will be constructed in Rochester’s Eastman Business Park, and is expected to be completed in April 2018.50

Agriculture and food production is another area being developed. The Region’s 1.5 million acres of farmland (roughly 21 percent of the State’s total) yields milk, apples, grapes and wine. Major local food and beverage producers like LiDestri, Wegmans and Constellation Brands create jobs and attract investment in all nine counties in the Region. Investments are targeted for organic food production, and developing small food operations (such as cooperative packaging plants).

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 15 Infrastructure The Finger Lakes Region is working to promote “next generation” clean manufacturing and technologies (for example, life sciences, energy, sustainable manufacturing, nanotechnology and semiconductors) by investing in creating, expanding and preserving industrial and technology parks. The Eastman Business Park and the Innovation Zone are expected to promote urban businesses and attract new residents to live downtown. The Town of Alabama is home to the Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP), a 1,250-acre campus for next generation manufacturing. A silicon wafer manufacturer is investing about $700 million over two phases and creating 1,000 jobs at this Genesee County site.53

Further, the State is supporting transportation infrastructure, with a new $30 million Amtrak station and transportation hub in Rochester scheduled for completion in 2017, and $39.8 million for the Greater Rochester International Airport’s redesign.54

IDAs and Economic Development The Region’s 11 Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) promote economic development in the Finger Lakes, offering financial assistance, including tax exemptions and financing, to create or retain jobs. There are IDAs in each of the nine counties and in the City of Geneva and the Village of Fairport. In 2015, these IDAs reported supporting 746 projects, over 400 of which were in Monroe County.55

Other recent examples of economic growth include retail development around the upscale in Ontario County, and development around , especially in the City of Canandaigua. The City of Geneva in Ontario County was awarded a $10 million downtown revitalization grant and is planning to highlight its distinctive Seneca lakefront. Projects include upgrading street infrastructure for better City-lake connectivity, investing in a City marina and a solar-powered residential/vacation-rental community, and promoting other mixed-use and cultural endeavors.56

Poverty Reduction Initiative Poverty is recognized as limiting economic growth in the Region, prompting public and private responses.57 The Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, supported in part by a $500,000 2016 IBM Smarter Cities Challenge award, aims to reduce poverty 50 percent by 2031 through community-based programs that ready children for high school, college, and careers, and provide job mentoring and skills development for hard-to-place adults.58 The Anti-Poverty Initiative and the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council have formalized the importance of these goals by requiring that any organization applying for funds under the State’s URI plan identify how its project will mitigate the impact of poverty.59

16 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Adapting to a Changing Environment

Climate change may cause a shift in Finger Lakes weather patterns and water levels.60 The Region’s agricultural economy is especially vulnerable, as the intensity of both drought and floods are related to temperature and rainfall variability, and livestock can be sensitive to the same factors. Extreme weather can also lead to costly property damage and threaten public health and safety, affecting drinking water supplies and contamination levels.

In the spring and summer of 2017, Lake Ontario communities (including suburban Rochester and Orleans and Wayne counties) experienced flooding caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall, wind- driven water, and already high Lake and river water levels along the international border. The State declared a state of emergency and offered $45 million for repairs, with $15 million allotments targeted to residents, businesses and municipalities with damaged infrastructure.61

In response to this event and climate change more generally, several counties in the Region have created All-Hazard Mitigation Plans, which document, rank and strategize for an array of natural and human-caused hazards for the county and municipalities.62 In 2016, Rochester drafted a Climate Action Plan, complementing a 2013 Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan; both outline the effort to reduce greenhouse gases emissions in the City.63 Rochester also achieved Climate Smart Community and Clean Energy Community designations in 2017, which required completion of a set of high-impact energy-reduction actions and/or actions to increase community resiliency to hazards.64

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 17 Looking Ahead

Community stakeholders in the Finger Lakes Region have set some ambitious goals: growing jobs, increasing regional wealth and driving private investment while deliberately working to reduce poverty. Local leaders should continue their work to identify public and private investment opportunities, especially in the areas that leverage existing regional strengths.

Sustained focus in these areas can help the Finger Lakes Region achieve its education and worker training goals, increase access to capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and retain talent through support for research at higher education institutions. At the same time, multi-million dollar investments of public and private funds for development activity require transparency, strict oversight and result measurement.

Efforts to address the challenges of poverty throughout the Region should also continue. Local leaders have already demonstrated support for policies that connect the needs of diverse stakeholder groups.

Municipal leaders in communities with high levels of tax-exempt property may need to be particularly innovative as they look for new ways to recoup at least some portion of the costs of services, or otherwise offset the exemptions. Though somewhat controversial, the City of Geneva has recently studied the possibility of selling city-owned lakefront property to developers in order to generate revenue, lower property taxes, and stimulate the local economy.65

While the Finger Lakes Region faces challenges, it has many advantages that can promote growth. The Region’s institutional research, manufacturing and transportation infrastructure, educated population and geographic resources are all attributes that have long supported this economy and will serve as a strong foundation for the future.

18 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Appendix: City and Town Demographics

Demographic Indicators, Finger Lakes Cities

Batavia Canandaigua Geneva Rochester Population estimate, 2016* 14,801 10,369 12,988 208,880

Population, percent change, 2000-2010** -4.9% -6.4% -2.6% -4.2%

Population, percent change, 2010-2016* -3.6% -1.8% -1.7% -0.8%

Persons per square mile* 2,846 2,259 3,085 5,838

Persons under 14 years 17.8% 16.4% 15.2% 20.4%

Persons over 65 years 18.1% 19.3% 13.1% 9.8%

Median age 39.0 40.5 27.7 31.0

White persons 87.2% 95.8% 78.0% 45.1%

Black persons 7.1% 0.9% 11.7% 41.1%

Asian persons 0.9% 1.3% 2.9% 3.7%

Persons reporting two or more races 3.4% 1.2% 2.9% 4.5%

Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin 3.7% 1.4% 13.8% 17.4%

White persons not Hispanic 85.4% 94.9% 70.2% 36.5%

Foreign-born persons 2.8% 2.9% 6.3% 9.0%

Languages other than English spoken at home 4.0% 5.0% 16.5% 19.8%

Median household income $41,584 $43,185 $40,000 $30,960

Bachelor's degree or higher 23.6% 35.0% 26.5% 23.8%

Owner-occupied housing units 49.2% 48.3% 46.4% 32.3%

Housing units in multi-unit structures 40.8% 44.5% 38.7% 50.2%

Vacancy rate of housing units 7.2% 9.7% 7.2% 12.3%

Median value of owner-occupied housing units $94,100 $155,800 $90,700 $76,200

Owner costs exceeding 30% of income 16.4% 24.3% 21.3% 32.8%

Renters costs exceeding 30% of income 51.6% 47.8% 47.8% 62.5%

Child poverty rate (%) 33.0% 18.6% 33.3% 51.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; All data are from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey, except as indicated. * 2016 Population Estimates ** 2000 and 2010 Census

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 19 42.7 2.1% 1.4% 1.8% 4.8% 9.8% 3.3% 8.9% 1,334 18.1% 17.5% 93.1% 51.6% 12.4% 77.9% 10.4% 91.5% 19.8% 23.7% 50.2% 43.2% 44,743 Town of Town Webster $69,987 $175,200 43.1 7.5% 1.7% 2.7% 0.0% 2.5% 2.5% 8.0% 1,271 17.7% 73.1% 87.7% 86.1% 12.0% 12.8% 10.3% 18.8% 39.0% 33.3% 86.5% 26.2% 29,463 Town of Town Pittsford $103,546 $262,200 45.2 1.1% 2.1% 7.8% 6.4% 1.8% 0.5% 0.8% 6.2% 3.2% 1,366 23.1% 77.9% 19.3% 18.3% 18.6% 16.8% 92.0% 93.5% 46.0% 54.9% 46,713 Town of Town $79,105 Perinton $192,600 44.8 7.0% 1.8% 8.4% 2.7% 4.0% 4.6% 3.6% 2.9% 2.9% 1,003 41.8% 51.2% 81.8% 91.9% 22.4% 18.6% 18.6% 16.8% 18.9% 90.0% 37,329 Town of Town Penfield $78,469 $179,800 555 40.8 2.1% 6.1% 7.4% 1.4% 1.7% 4.7% 1.2% 4.3% 9.8% 13.1% 37.8% 21.4% 16.3% 18.9% 78.9% 94.5% 33.0% 36.6% 90.8% Ogden 20,264 Town of Town $71,596 $150,700 43.7 7.3% 7.5% 1.6% 9.3% 2.2% 3,370 -1.3% -1.9% 18.7% 12.5% 12.5% 16.3% 18.6% 18.9% 78.3% 49.8% 29.5% 85.0% 80.8% 34.8% 50,556 Town of Town $54,275 $117,500 Irondequoit 33.9 9.1% 3.1% 7.3% 1.9% 9.0% 4.8% 1,236 11.4% 11.8% 51.6% 71.0% 13.4% 74.8% 78.4% 14.9% 13.9% 24.2% 26.3% 33.0% 36.8% 43,690 Town of Town $61,762 Henrietta $139,400 43.4 2.1% 5.1% 9.4% 1.3% 6.7% 0.3% 2.0% 6.6% 2,024 18.1% 16.1% 87.9% 27.2% 13.6% 18.6% 84.7% 73.3% 28.3% 22.8% 52.2% 96,175 Greece Town of Town $55,061 $128,400

42.9 0.7% 2.0% 3.6% 6.2% 1,889 -3.0% 15.1% 52.1% 16.4% 78.4% 82.4% 14.9% 10.5% 10.5% 19.9% 22.7% 73.3% 20.3% 32.3% 33.0% Gates 28,691 Town of Town $50,022 $115,200

40 729 7.5% 1.4% 0.4% 4.3% 2.0% 5.5% 3.6% 9.2% 8.2% Chili 18.1% 59.1% 21.9% 18.6% 19.2% 83.7% 15.2% 78.0% 36.3% 86.5% 28,794 Town of Town $63,203 $136,300 38.9 7.1% 4.1% 0.0% 2.8% 2.9% 6.2% 2,373 56.1% 14.4% 42.4% 61.9% 79.4% 19.0% 10.8% 18.0% 18.6% 76.3% 23.3% 33.0% 45.9% 36,598 Town of Town $66,149 Brighton $170,300

U.S. Census Bureau; All data are from American the 2011-2015 Community Survey, except as indicated. Population* 2016 Estimates Demographic Indicators, Finger Lakes Towns with Populations over 20,000 over with Populations Towns Lakes Demographic Indicators, Finger Source: ** 2000 and Census 2010 Population estimate, 2016* estimate, Population 2000-2010** change, percent Population, 2010-2016* change, percent Population, mile* square per Persons Persons under years 14 Persons over 65 years ageMedian personsWhite personsBlack persons Asian Persons reporting two or more races Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin White persons not Hispanic Foreign-born persons Languages other than English spoken at home income household Median higher or degree Bachelor's units housing Owner-occupied Housing units in multi-unit structures units housing owner-occupied of value Median Owner costs exceeding 30% of income Renters costs exceeding 30% of income Child poverty rate (%) Child poverty rate (%)

20 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Notes

1 USA Today. Kodak turns first annual profit since bankruptcy. March 8, 2017. www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/03/07/kodak-16-revenues-were-off-10-percent/98851926/. 2 Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. October 2015. www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/FLREDC_URI_FinalPlan.pdf. 3 Some of the Finger Lakes are located in or extend into counties outside of the Finger Lakes region defined in this report. For more on the region, see Development, Inside the Finger Lakes Region. www.esd.ny.gov/regionaloverviews/fingerlakes/insideregion.html. 4 New York Times. Afloat on the : Sonar Gear, Ferris Wheel Parts and Beer Tanks. May 28, 2017. www.nytimes.com/2017/05/28/nyregion/erie-canal-rebound-commercial-shipping.html?_r=1 City of Rochester, accessed May 30. 2017. www.cityofrochester.gov/geneseeriver/. 5 U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016. 6 U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016. 7 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey one-year estimates, 2007 through 2015. 8 Greater Rochester Enterprise, June 29, 2017. www.rochesterbiz.com/LivingHere/Education.aspx. 9 Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. October 2015, p.80, www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/FLREDC_URI_FinalPlan.pdf. See also, Monroe County, 200 Millenials 2015 Survey and Focus Group Results, 2015, www.monroecounty.gov/files/monroe200%20Report_0.pdf. 10 New York State Education Department, Fiscal Profiles, SY 2014-15. DCAADM: Duplicated Combined Adjusted Average Daily Membership. 11 New York State Education Department, School Report Card Database, SY 2014-15. Statewide number excludes New York City. 12 School Report Card Database, SY 2014-15. 13 OSC, Rochester City School District: Payroll and Procurement (2016M-435), April 2017, www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/schools/2017/rochester.pdf. 14 , for purposes of this report, includes Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. 15 Auburn Pub. “Local governments get tax revenue from del Lago Resort & Casino, but how will money be used?” June 4, 2017. www.auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/local-governments-get-tax-revenue-from-del-lago-resort- casino/article_1d3e3b27-2ac9-5b18-b904-3ee3f83a5ea8.html. 16 New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/reports/exempt/15index.htm. 17 Scores cited here are as of January 25, 2017 and are for fiscal years ending 2015 for municipalities and fiscal year 2015-16 for school districts. For more on the Fiscal Stress Monitoring System and latest scores for local governments, please see www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/fiscalmonitoring/index.htm. 18 New York State Department of State. General Municipal Law Article 17-A provides a unified process for the consolidation and dissolution of local government entities; see www.dos.ny.gov/lg/lge/dissolution.html. Under the Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, the Local Government Citizens Re-Organization Empowerment Grant and the Citizens Empowerment Tax Credit are available for municipalities undertaking dissolutions or consolidations and provide short-term aid to the consolidated entity after transition; see www.dos.ny.gov/lg/lge/grant.html. 19 New York State Department of State, Local Government Services. Villages dissolved since 1900 & incorporated since 1940. www.dos.ny.gov/lg/village-inc-diss.html and Watertown Daily Times. Dissolution is complicated, unpredictable event, Seneca Falls leaders warn, October 6, 2011. www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20111006/NEWS05/710069867/.

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 21 Notes

20 Center for Governmental Research. Schuyler & Yates Counties: Re-engineering Government at the County Level. 2014. www.cgr.org/schuyler-yates/about/ 21 Finger Lakes Times. Yates/Schuyler study nixes merger, December 14, 2014. www.fltimes.com/news/penn_yan/yates-schuyler-study-nixes-merger/article_09e61aa8-8339-11e4-b05d- 3f500020728d.html and Observer-Review. Yates, Schuyler will share new highway job, January 27, 2015. www.observer-review.com/yates-schuyler-will-share-new-highway-job-cms-4643. 22 New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Real Property Tax Services. Median home sale prices. www.tax.ny.gov. 23 Ibid. The most recent statewide residential median home sales prices is for 2015. 24 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey five-year estimates, 2011-2015. 25 U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey. www.census.gov/construction/bps/. 26 A tax lien foreclosure occurs when a property owner fails to pay the real estate taxes owed on a property. These unpaid real estate taxes become liens against the property. The taxing authority can then foreclose the lien to collect the overdue amounts. 27 Rochester Land Bank Corporation Annual Report 2015-2016. www.cityofrochester.gov/landbank. 28 WHAM News. Rochester land bank awarded $1.5 million to fix vacant home issues. March 31, 2017. www.13wham.com/news/local/rochester-land-bank-awarded-15-million-to-fix-vacant-home-issues. 29 New York State Department of Labor, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program, www.labor.ny.gov/stats/LSLAUS.shtm. 30 Albany Business Review. Kodak's Rochester, NY workforce dips below 2,500. March 21, 2014. www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2014/03/21/kodaks-rochester-ny-workforce-dips-below-2-500.html. 31 Randy Gorbman, “Kodak reduces loss in latest quarter; revenues down,” Innovation Trail, May 6, 2016, www.innovationtrail.org/post/kodak-reduces-loss-latest-quarter-revenues-down, and Zack Seward, “Kodak no longer one of Rochester's top 5 employers,” Zack Seward, March 1, 2012, Innovation Trail, www.innovationtrail.org/post/kodak-no-longer-one-rochesters-top-5-employers. 32 New York State Department of Labor. 2013 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification. www.labor.ny.gov/app/warn/default.asp?warnYr=2013. . New Xerox cuts to hit 177 in Webster. May 18, 2017. www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/business/2017/05/18/new-xerox-cuts-to-hit-about-175-in- webster/101834444/. 33 New York State Department of Health. Medical Marijuana Program, Registered Organizations. www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/application/selected_applicants.htm. Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. Progress Report and Recommended Priority Projects Year 6. p. 54. September 2016. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/finger-lakes 34 Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. Progress Report and Recommended Priority Projects Year 6. September 2016. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/finger-lakes and Brookings Institute Ranks Rochester Among Top Metros for Patents. February 1, 2013. www.rochesterbiz.com/KeyIndustries/Optics,PhotonicsImaging.aspx. 35 New York State Department of Labor. New York's Largest Private Sector Employers, August 2016. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/nys/Largest-private-sector-employers-NYS.shtm. 36 Official Statement County of Livingston, New York, $12,425,000 Public Improvement Refunding (Serial) Bonds, 2016. Supplement to the Final Official Statement, April 30, 2015 in connection with the City of Batavia, Genesee County, $4,050,000 BAN, 2015. Official Statement County of Wyoming, New York, GENERAL OBLIGATIONS $3,030,000 Public Improvement Refunding (Serial) Bonds, 2016.

22 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Notes

37 New York State Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Data are arranged by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), with the averages and median by region calculated by the Labor Department. The Labor Department shows government employment as a separate industry classification. The 2015 data is the latest final data available. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/lsqcew.shtm. 38 New York State Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Data for the 2nd quarter of 2016 is preliminary. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/ins.asp. 39 New York State Department of Labor, Labor Statistics for the Finger Lakes Region. www.abor.ny.gov/stats/fin/default.asp. New York State Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. 2016 data is preliminary. All projections are by the Department of Labor. 40 Finger Lakes, Monroe and Genesee Community Colleges. 41 New York State Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. The DOL Division of Research and Statistics analyzes the information; USA ARC employer database and publicly available information. 42 New York State Department of Labor. Long-Term Industry Employment Projections, 2014-2024 for the Finger Lakes Region. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/lsproj.shtm. 43 New York State Department of Labor, Division of Research and Statistics. Employment in New York State, July 2016: Focus on the Finger Lakes: Beverage Production Plays Growing Role in Region’s Economy. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/PDFs/enys0716.pdf. 44 Ibid and New York State Department of Labor. Employment in New York State, June 2016: The Dish on Food and Beverage Tourism in New York State. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/PDFs/enys0616.pdf. 45 Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. October 2015. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/finger-lakes. 46 New York State Department of Labor. Long-Term Industry Employment Projections, 2014-2024 for the Finger Lakes Region. www.labor.ny.gov/stats/lsproj.shtm. 47 New York Upstate Revitalization Initiative. www.ny.gov/programs/upstate-revitalization-initiative. 48 Photonics is the “branch of physics that deals with the properties and application of photons, especially as a medium for transmitting information,” Merriam-Webster online, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photonics. Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. October 2015. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/finger-lakes. Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan, 2016 Update. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/finger-lakes/091316/flredc_progressreportdraft2016. 49 Democrat and Chronicle. After failed deals, can SUNY Poly save itself from 'danger'? August 10, 2017. www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2017/08/10/suny-poly-canal-ponds- danger/104261540/. 50 New York State Empire State Development. New York State Photonics Board of Officers Meet and Recommend Second Round of State Funding for AIM Photonics in Rochester. March 3, 2017. www.esd.ny.gov/esd-media-center/ press-releases/new-york-state-photonics-board-officers-meet-and-recommend-second and Democrat and Chronicle. How Rochester is harnessing the light: Photonics gains foothold, August 5, 2017. www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2017/08/05/how-rochester-harnessing-light-photonics-gains- foothold/505225001/. Rochester First. AIM Photonics, University of Rochester, and Department of Defense partner to create "Eyes and Ears", Mar 29, 2017. www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/aim-photonics-university-of- rochester-and-department-of-defense-partner-to-create-eyes-and-ears/682620330, and LoHud. Photonics HQ won't be in downtown Rochester after all. March 3, 2017. www.lohud.com/story/news/2017/03/03/photonics-headquarters-downtown-rochester/98687540/. 51 New York State Department of Labor, Division of Research and Statistics. STEM Occupations in New York State. June 2016. www. labor.ny.gov/stats/PDFs/STEM-Occupations-in-NYS.pdf, and Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, www.labor.ny.gov/stats/ins.asp with OSC calculations.

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 23 Notes

52 Buffalo Business First, Buffalo and Rochester diverge in national rankings for tech jobs. Aug 2, 2017. www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2017/08/02/buffalo-and-rochester-diverge-in-national-rankings.html. 53 New York State Governor’s Press Release. Governor Cuomo Announces 1366 Technologies to Construct Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Genesee County, October 2015. www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo- announces-1366-technologies-construct-advanced-manufacturing-facility-genesee. 54 Democrat and Chronicle. All aboard the new Rochester train station. June 19, 2017. www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2017/06/19/all-aboard-new-rochester-train-station/408070001/. and New York State Governor’s Press Release, Governor Cuomo Announces $63.4 Million Transformation of Greater Rochester International Airport, Sept 21, 2016. www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-634- million-transformation-greater-rochester-international-airport. 55 Office of the New York State Comptroller. wwe1.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/ida/ida.cfm?EcoReg=Finger%20Lakes. 56 Finger Lakes Times. 17 projects, including Dove Block, on list for Geneva Downtown Revitalization funding, February 1, 2017. www.fltimes.com/news/projects-including-dove-block-on-list-for-geneva-downtown- revitalization/article_4ce8968a-e8b0-11e6-90bd-2bc57215cb54.html. Daily Messenger. Victor's Fertile Ground: The Cost of Development. February 7, 2016. www.mpnnow.com/news/20160207/victors-fertile-ground-cost-of-development. Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. Progress Report and Recommended Priority Projects Year 6, p.19. September 2016. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/sites/default/files/regions/fingerlakes/FL_ProgressReport2016.pdf 57 Christopherson, Susan and Jennifer Clark. Remaking Regional Economies: Power, labor and firm strategies in the knowledge economy, p. 74. 2007. Google Books, April 24, 2017. 58 City of Rochester News Release - IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Report Provides Recommendations and Roadmap to Address Poverty, January 27, 2016. www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589967751. Rochester First. Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative at United Way. www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/rochester-monroe-anti-poverty-initiative/378122818. 59 Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. Finger Lakes Forward, Upstate Revitalization Plan. Progress Report and Recommended Priority Projects Year 6, p.iii. September 2016. www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/sites/default/files/regions/fingerlakes/FL_ProgressReport2016.pdf. 60 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. www.dec.ny.gov/energy/82168.html. 61 Democrat and Chronicle. Cuomo touts Lake Ontario flood relief package. July 6, 2017. www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2017/07/06/cuomo-tout-lake-ontario-flood-relief- package/455305001/. Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2017. 62 Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. http://www.gflrpc.org/. 63 City of Rochester Climate Action Plans, 2013 and 2016. www.cityofrochester.gov/uploadedFiles/Departments/Des/Articles/COR_FINAL_CAP_9-30-13.pdf and www.cityofrochester.gov/climateactionplan. 64 New York State Governor’s Press Release. Governor Cuomo Recognizes Rochester as Model City for Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Build Climate Resiliency. June 9, 2017. www.governor.ny.gov/news/ governor-cuomo-recognizes-rochester-model-city-actions-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and. 65 Finger Lakes Times. “Study: Lakefront project would ease Geneva’s tax hit.” April 2, 2017. www.fltimes.com/news/study-lakefront-project-would-ease-geneva-s-tax-hit/article_73eb56b8-1746-11e7- 84cf-0b74b286e391.html.

24 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile Division of Local Government and School Accountability Central Office Directory Andrew A. SanFilippo, Executive Deputy Comptroller

(Area code for the following is 518 unless otherwise specified)

Executive ...... 474-4037 Gabriel F. Deyo, Deputy Comptroller Tracey Hitchen Boyd, Assistant Comptroller

Audits, Local Government Services and Professional Standards...... 474-5404 (Audits, Technical Assistance, Accounting and Audit Standards)

Local Government and School Accountability Help Line...... (866) 321-8503 or 408-4934 (Electronic Filing, Financial Reporting, Justice Courts, Training)

New York State & Local Retirement System Retirement Information Services Inquiries on Employee Benefits and Programs...... 474-7736 Bureau of Member and Employer Services...... (866) 805-0990 or 474-1101 Monthly Reporting Inquiries...... 474-1080 Audits and Plan Changes...... 474-0167 All Other Employer Inquiries...... 474-6535

Division of Legal Services Municipal Law Section ...... 474-5586

Other OSC Offices Bureau of State Expenditures ...... 486-3017 Bureau of State Contracts...... 474-4622

Office of the New York State Comptroller, Mailing Address 110 State Street, Albany, New York 12236 for all of the above: email: [email protected]

Special Report: FingerIndustrial Lakes Region Development Economic Agencies Profile 25 Division of Local Government and School Accountability Regional Office Directory

Andrew A. SanFilippo, Executive Deputy Comptroller Gabriel F. Deyo, Deputy Comptroller (518) 474-4037 Tracey Hitchen Boyd, Assistant Comptroller Cole H. Hickland, Director • Jack Dougherty, Director Direct Services (518) 474-5480

BINGHAMTON REGIONAL OFFICE - H. Todd Eames, Chief Examiner State Office Building, Suite 1702 • 44 Hawley Street • Binghamton, New York 13901-4417 Tel (607) 721-8306 • Fax (607) 721-8313 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins counties

BUFFALO REGIONAL OFFICE – Jeffrey D. Mazula, Chief Examiner 295 Main Street, Suite 1032 • Buffalo, New York 14203-2510 Tel (716) 847-3647 • Fax (716) 847-3643 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming counties

GLENS FALLS REGIONAL OFFICE - Jeffrey P. Leonard, Chief Examiner One Broad Street Plaza • Falls, New York 12801-4396 Tel (518) 793-0057 • Fax (518) 793-5797 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Albany, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington counties

HAUPPAUGE REGIONAL OFFICE – Ira McCracken, Chief Examiner NYS Office Building, Room 3A10 • 250 Veterans Memorial Highway • Hauppauge, New York 11788-5533 Tel (631) 952-6534 • Fax (631) 952-6530 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Nassau, Suffolk counties

NEWBURGH REGIONAL OFFICE – Tenneh Blamah, Chief Examiner 33 Airport Center Drive, Suite 103 • New Windsor, New York 12553-4725 Tel (845) 567-0858 • Fax (845) 567-0080 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westchester counties

ROCHESTER REGIONAL OFFICE – Edward V. Grant Jr., Chief Examiner The • 16 West Main Street – Suite 522 • Rochester, New York 14614-1608 Tel (585) 454-2460 • Fax (585) 454-3545 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Cayuga, Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Yates counties

SYRACUSE REGIONAL OFFICE – Rebecca Wilcox, Chief Examiner State Office Building, Room 409 • 333 E. Washington Street • Syracuse, New York 13202-1428 Tel (315) 428-4192 • Fax (315) 426-2119 • Email: [email protected] Serving: Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence counties

STATEWIDE AUDIT - Ann C. Singer, Chief Examiner State Office Building, Suite 1702 • 44 Hawley Street • Binghamton, New York 13901-4417 Tel (607) 721-8306 • Fax (607) 721-8313

26 Special Report: Finger Lakes Region Economic Profile

Contact Office of the New York State Comptroller Division of Local Government and School Accountability 110 State Street, 12th floor Albany, NY 12236 Tel: (518) 474-4037 Fax: (518) 486-6479 or email us: [email protected] www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/index.htm

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